The vehicles are required to be licensed by the controlling body of UK Motor Sport, the Motor Sports Association (MSA). The MSA regulations specify the minimum level of equipment to be carried by a Recovery Unit although the majority of vehicles are equipped well in excess of this minimum specification.

The MSA have been licencing units for rally recovery since 1984. Since those early days the expertise and skills of operatives has grown to the point where nearly every rally held throughout the country now uses licenced units. Formed in 1995 AMRO promote the licencing process and facilitate recovery assessments on behalf of the MSA and organise regular training for members at venues all over the country.